RN program worth it?

DoeRN · Dec 19, 2013

If you know for a fact that you will be able to find a nursing job then yes it is worth it. If you can't guarantee that you will find a job then no it's not worth going into debt over. Check out some of the new grad threads. And I remember seeing one specifically for California.

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Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2013

If your debate is about a sure thing and a good salary upon graduation...I'd reconsider your decision. California has one of the highest unemployment rates of new grads in the country....about 47%

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2013

Each of these decisions types of questions require a host of individual considerations. Please realize that no one here can fully furnish an adequate response.

As a suggestion, try to present as narrow an inquiry as possible with as much background detail and specifics as you can.

Good luck!

DoGoodThenGo · Dec 23, 2013

I was recently accepted into an entry-level MSN program, due to start in January. It is a 2 year full time program with a tuition that costs about 63k. Recently, I got a promotion at work, giving me a new salary of 65k/year. Now I'm debating if nursing is worth it or not considering the steep tuition, I would have to resign from my job if I do the program. If i continue working, I would end up making about 68k in 2 years. Versus going into nursing, using up all my savings and coming out with student loans in 2 years. My other concerns are finding employment in nursing or ending up with a position that pays less than what I'm getting right now. Would it be worth it for me to do the nursing program? What are new grad nurse salaries in southern California?

Your query seems to be more about steady work at decent wages than becoming a RN. If that is the case you already know the answer so remain where you are and keep on keeping on.

OTOH if you are looking for someone to predict the future, that you will have a career in nursing that equals and or exceeds your current and predicted future wages, forget it.

First there is no guarantee you'll even complete the nursing program and or pass the NCLEX on your first attempt. Afterwards comes the often long and hard slog of finding employment as a newly licensed nurse. If you are only considering nursing as a meal steady meal ticket without your heart being into the thing it just won't work.

Do you know where your hands will have to go as a nurse? What sort of working conditions you'll have to put up with? Perhaps by going for your masters you are aiming for advanced practice nursing, but as a newly minted MSN with nil to little practical experience competing against seasoned RNs with years if not decades under their belt before going on for their AP degrees, whom do you think will get those coveted positions first?

If you have employment that is steady, well paying with promises of advancement and wage increases the only reason to leave it for nursing is because you want to become a nurse, not to have a job in nursing. The two are very different in that the desire or the first is often all that gets you through the second.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Dec 23, 2013

Your query seems to be more about steady work at decent wages than becoming a RN. If that is the case you already know the answer so remain where you are and keep on keeping on.
OTOH if you are looking for someone to predict the future, that you will have a career in nursing that equals and or exceeds your current and predicted future wages, forget it.
First there is no guarantee you'll even complete the nursing program and or pass the NCLEX on your first attempt. Afterwards comes the often long and hard slog of finding employment as a newly licensed nurse. If you are only considering nursing as a meal steady meal ticket without your heart being into the thing it just won't work.
Do you know where your hands will have to go as a nurse? What sort of working conditions you'll have to put up with? Perhaps by going for your masters you are aiming for advanced practice nursing, but as a newly minted MSN with nil to little practical experience competing against seasoned RNs with years if not decades under their belt before going on for their AP degrees, whom do you think will get those coveted positions first?
If you have employment that is steady, well paying with promises of advancement and wage increases the only reason to leave it for nursing is because you want to become a nurse, not to have a job in nursing. The two are very different in that the desire or the first is often all that gets you through the second.

Well said. :yes:

pomm · Dec 23, 2013

I think you really have to want it. No job, I am sorry to say is guaranteed. I made over 80k this year in corporate America, thought I had job security, was promoted (my 3rd promotion in 9 years), got a decent bonus this year (and in past years), got my largest merit increase in the 9 years I had been there, busted my butt and came back from vacation and lost my job. It is all for the better though, the job was literally making me sick.

If you are happy in your job and are not willing to take the risk involved in starting a new career than I would say stay where you are. If you know you want it, go for it.